Why the LIberals passed the Reforms?

The reasons behind the Liberal Party introducing the reforms are numerous. Historians are agreeing the reforms were desperately required; however vary opinions on why they were passed. Some of the common motives for the reforms include political advantage, attitude of Liberal leader David Lloyd George, public opinion and National Efficiency. The reforms were aimed to tackle the serious problem of poverty and ill health within the country.

One motive behind the reforms had been political advantage. In 1900, the Labour Party – a political rival – was created with the aim to appeal to the working class. As the British population consisted of 75% working class, the Liberal party knew they had to act to keep the ‘poorer’ votes. To ensure they received the votes, the liberals responded to the needs of the poor by passing Acts such as the Old Age Pension, School Meals and National Insurance. The Acts were intended to improve life of those living in poverty and gain support from those living in such conditions.

Another theory of why the Liberals introduced the Reforms is the attitude of party leader, David Lloyd George. Lloyd George, himself was from a working class village in Wales. Coming from that background, he disliked the English upper class and privileged as their views of poverty it was a result of peoples own mistakes. Lloyd George planned to assist the poor by heavily taxing the rich and returning the money to those in need.

Not only were those living in poverty expecting state help, but it was rapidly becoming public opinion that the government should help those less well off. When it became clear that the poor were not to blame for their poverty; many objections such as “they should help themselves” and “it’s…